Xavi does not count on 22-year-old Barcelona forward | OneFootball

With Barcelona beginning their pre-season camp earlier today, ahead of the 2022/23 season, some of the out-of-favour players reported to the club’s Ciutat Esportiva complex for their medical tests and training sessions.

One of those stars who arrived for the pre-season was Portuguese winger Francisco Trincao. The 22-year-old is back at Barça after spending the 2021/22 campaign out on loan at Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Trincao failed to make the most of his time in England, leading to the Midlands club not signing him on a permanent deal. It has led to Wolves having to pay a €6 million penalty to Barcelona, as part of their initial loan agreement.

Now that Trincao is back at Barcelona, Mundo Deportivo reports that manager Xavi Hernandez does not count on the winger heading into the new season, leaving the young forward to find a new club for himself.

There had been speculations that the Catalans were ready to put the former SC Braga winger’s exit on hold until they were able to get clarity on the situations of Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele.

But, in recent days, it has emerged that the Blaugrana have an agreement with Leeds United for Raphinha, while they are also closing in on re-signing Dembele on a two-year contract.

It has meant that Trincao is no longer needed at Barcelona, with Xavi deciding not to count on the former Braga ace anymore. Sporting CP had shown an interest in signing the Portuguese international in the recent past and will now rekindle their efforts to land the forward.

A return to Portugal could be a good move for Trincao, who has struggled to make an impact in the last two seasons since leaving his homeland. What now remains to be seen is whether Sporting are in a position to pay the attacker’s €18 million asking price.